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Pirates, Samardzija would be good fit

By John Perrotto for The 2 min read
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Three thoughts on the Pirates:

1. Catch The Shark

The Sporting News’ Jesse Spector suggested in a column earlier in the week that the Pirates should trade for Jeff Samardzija in an effort to bolster their starting rotation.

A truly great idea.

The Chicago White Sox are going nowhere and the right-hander is certain to test free agency in November. Furthermore, the Pirates could buy low on Samardzija as the right-hander is a pedestrian 5-4 with a 4.56 ERA in 14 starts.

The Pirates tried to acquire “The Shark” from the Oakland Athletics in a trade at the winter meetings without success. Considering he went 4-2 with a 1.26 ERA in 11 career games at PNC Park while pitching for the Chicago Cubs, Samardzija would be a good fit.

Throw in the fact he has long hair, loves classic rock and is of Serbian descent, and there isn’t a better guy to play in Pittsburgh.

2. Unfriendly foes

Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole is scheduled to pitch today in the finale of the three-game series against the Cleveland Indians at PNC Park.

That comes after his former UCLA teammate, Trevor Bauer, pitched Friday night for the Indians in the series opener.

Cole and Bauer were more rivals than friends in college as they vied to be considered both the ace of the Bruins’ pitching staff and the first overall pick in the 2011 amateur pick.

Though Bauer had the better season statically, Cole went No. 1 to the Pirates. The Arizona Diamondbacks then took Bauer with the third pick.

Cole and Bauer have never faced each other and it would be interesting to see what happens if ever match up.

3. Book recommendation

In Pursuit of Pennants, written by baseball historians Mark L. Armour and Daniel R. Levitt, covers the history of the evolution of front offices and is a great read.

There is a fascinating chapter about Barney Dreyfuss, who owned the Pirates from 1900 until his death in 1932, and how he put together consistently competitive teams in the days before teams had extensive scouting departments.

Dreyfuss developed hundreds of contacts around the country and would often travel in person to scout amateur players who had been recommended by his former players or media members.

Another interesting tidbit is that Dreyfuss wielded his influence to prevent Pittsburgh from becoming a two-team market when the American League considered placing a team in the city for its inaugural 1903 season.

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